THE South Australia Office of Consumer and Business Services has named and shamed rogue real estate agent Shane Snellgrove for operating without a licence and issued a warning to the public to have no dealings with him.

Commissioner Dini Soulio said Consumer and Business Services were investigating Mr Snellgrove and interviewing witnesses.

“Mr Snellgrove is ineligible to be licensed because he was recently declared bankrupt by order of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia,” Mr Soulio said.

“CBS has identified that despite warnings, Mr Snellgrove has continued to operate as a land agent unlicensed and has advertised properties on his website shanesnellgrove.com.au.”

Mr Soulio said the maximum penalty for acting as a real estate agent while unlicensed is $20,000.

“I would warn consumers not to engage Mr Snellgrove as there is a risk that if they suffer detriment, they may not be afforded the protections provided by the Land Agents Act,” Mr Soulio said.

Real Estate Institute of South Australia Greg Troughton said Mr Snellgrove had been investigated by REISA for unethical dealings.

“About six years ago a formal complaint was brought against him and he was ordered to appear before our professional standards committee because he allegedly charged for advertising that wasn’t authorised by the vendors,” Mr Troughton said.